Huskies Fall in Overtime at Michigan State Play Video
Posted: Nov 04, 2016

Huskies Fall in Overtime at Michigan State

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Tech hockey team fell 3-2 in overtime to Michigan State Friday (Nov. 4) at Munn Ice Arena. The Huskies and Spartans went to the extra session for the sixth straight meeting and it was the home team scoring 1:22 in for the game winner on the power play.

"We got better as the night went on, but tonight was their night," Tech coach Mel Pearson said. "We have to be tougher mentally and physically and have a better start tomorrow night if we expect to win."

MSU (2-4-0) opened the game's scoring 7:33 after puck drop on a goal by Zack Osburn.

The Huskies quickly tied it up 32 seconds later as Mason Blacklock buried his first of the season and third of his career. Matt Roy carried the puck up ice and fed it over to Reid Sturos. Sturos slid a cross-ice pass to a streaking Blacklock who went backhand for the goal. MSU was also called for a hooking penalty on the play.

Jake Lucchini gave Tech a 2-1 lead with a power play tally 2:53 into the second period. Joel L'Esperance brought the puck out front of the net and took a shot that was blocked. Mark Auk also got a whack at it before it slipped over to a wide-open Lucchini who buried his third of the season and tenth of his career.

Mason Appleton scored the final two goals for the Spartans—both on the power play. He tied it up with a long shot from the sidewall that found its way into the back of the net with less than 4:00 to go in the second.

The Huskies were called for a penalty 73 seconds into overtime and Appleton capitalized with the game-winner nine seconds later.

Tech (3-6-2) outshot MSU 24-16, including numerous opportunities that didn't find the twine. Lucchini had chances 60 seconds into the game and early in the overtime that were both steered away. Blacklock almost buried his second of the game the shift after he scored as he jammed at the puck at the side of the net.

"Mason had a good game for us," added Pearson. "His size and speed were what we needed in a game like this, and he created some good scoring chances."

Jake Jackson grazed the post just before MSU tied it up at two, and Dylan Steman had two shots right out front of the MSU net that were saved in the second period.

Tech goaltender Angus Redmond made his third straight start, stopping 13 shots. Ed Minney had 22 saves for the Spartans.

The Huskies were 1-for-3 on the power play and were called for two minor penalties—the fewest all season. MSU capitalized on both of its man advantage situations.

The two teams wrap-up the nonconference series on Saturday (Nov. 5) with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.